Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Sacred Heart Hospital- Lt. Gov’s Appt

Posted by Lieutenant Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Sacred Heart Hospital- Lt. Gov’s Appt

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Sacred Heart Hospital- Lt. Gov’s Appt

(snip)

“Just so you know, I keep spare power cells and chargers at home and in my office. And I think I will keep a set in the slider as well. But in case of extenuating circumstances, I do usually keep a cane at home and in the office in case I can’t use the brace for some reason and I need the extra support that day.” She hadn’t brought it with her, which was probably a no-no given medical staff preferred to see what a patient used for themselves. But the reason she hadn’t brought it with her today was perhaps silly but also deeply personal. She just got here. She wasn’t ashamed of the extra medical support she needed but it was as Kenzo had described: she was going to have to work hard to earn people’s trust and respect on this colony. She walked into a situation where people were predisposed to not like her before they even knew her, simply because she had worn a Starfleet uniform. She needed to project confidence and capability. Whether it was fair or not, first impressions and image mattered in her situation- this much she had learned being a diplomat. That and she sure as hell didn’t want anyone’s pity. Carrying a cane, even into a hospital, drew more attention to issues that weren’t anybody else’s business than she wished. Was it pride? A little bit. But after all she had done for the Federation and been through, Eela felt she had earned the right to have a bit of (perhaps) foolish pride.

Reaching out to take the brace, she eyed the others Trond had brought. “What makes those ones different?”

~Eeela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Jal’na held up the second one, “This one is a more full body brace, comes up higher and then also wraps around the upper thighs. This one,” she held up the third that probably looked very archaic, “Is just a metal frame. It wraps around your body and there are padded support areas that we tighten to your form and it holds your torso up to relieve the pressure. It’s very basic, but doesn’t use power cells and you don’t run the risk of it suddenly not working.” She set them down and picked up a small tool and began making adjustments while Dasca sat. “I am glad that you keep extra power cells, so I am assuming you know how to replace them.” The Klingon woman smirked, “The cane reminds me of Commissioner Karlson. I saw him without it once and it just did not seem right. But if something ever happens, the power is out, there is a short, or you think it’s just not supporting you as well for whatever reason, contact me immediately. I do not believe in my patients waiting hours or days to get something fixed. That creates more problems. It may not be me or Trond who comes, but someone will.” She made a small tweak to an adjustment and nodded. “Alright, how does that feel?”

Jal’na

One didn’t need to be empathic in anyway to know Dasca’s reactions to the other two braces. They did not appeal to her in anyway. The beauty of the antigrav brace was that it wrapped thinly around her body and the lack of bulk allowed it to mostly disappear under her clothes. If you knew to look for it, you could see it. Turning her body, she nodded and then Eela slipped off the biobed, her body clearly moving more easily than before. She turned her hips, took a step, turned in place, took a step back and all but sighed in relief. “Better,” she said softly, more emotional than she thought she’d be. But Dasca understood her reaction all too well. How she moved about and presented herself on Oed would determine how people would see her. As Hyrushi made a point of, people were predisposed to be distrustful of her, and being seen as less capable, even for non-related reasons, could impact her work here. Fair? No, but no one said impressions were always rational either.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Jal’na watched as she moved, “I am not happy with it. Stand here, arms out. You will feel the brace relax some at the top for a moment before it tightens back up and then again at the bottom. I will not allow you to fall.” Fayth smiled reassuringly at Dasca. Jal’na was very good at her job and very serious about the well being of her patients even more so when she was in charge.

Eela couldn’t help but grin. The likelihood of her falling was exceptionally small, especially since she was very mindful about how she moved, but still, the woman’s perfectionism and dedication was actually rather nice in this instance.

The top of the brace loosened letting her shoulders and back slump some and then tightened again but now higher supporting more of her upper back and the sides tight but more fluid allowing for more twist and bend within her safe range of motion. Then the bottom loosened and Dasca could feel the servos whirring and repositioning and then everything tightened up again giving her full support. Jal’na did a scan with tricorder and then showed Fayth. “Much better, the compression of the disk is now very very minor. How does that feel Eela?” the PT asked.

Jal’na

Moving away from Jal’na, Eela tested it out even further bending forward. It was a more tricky motion for her since it required core strength she couldn’t develop so long as she needed the brace. But that was fine with her. Like with everything, she compensated. The servos worked hard as she stood back up and the motion was exceptionally smooth. She smiled. “Now that is the best I think it’s been in a long while.”

Jal’na grunted, “Good. If you have problems, you contact me right away. I know you will be very busy but I would like to see you within the week for a full assessment. I will send my schedule and you pick what works for you. I can come to your home or office if that is more convenient.”

For a moment Dasca studied Jal’na before she nodded slowly. “My life is busy and demanding. This new job of mine even more so. My health is a priority but the reality is that I get used to making do, with just going with things even if they aren’t optimal. Call it a good or bad habit from my Starfleet days and generally it serves me well. But I understand that that is not acceptable to you and that you will push to make things better for me. Know in advance that that is appreciated.” She looked between Fayth and Jal’na. “I try not to be a difficult patient, but what do I need people to be aware is that I don’t always get a say in how my days go or whether I can put in the full time and effort PT requires. I will try but there will be a compromise we need to make and it’s going to take some time to figure out what that looks like. Fair?”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Jal’na gave her a grin that was more pointed teeth than inviting, but amusement and lit her eyes. “I admire your candor and appreciate your effort to work your hardest. I have ways of making sure you do your exercises, though. I can program them into your brace and you can do them while you sit and do paperwork or ride in your ground car or as you walk the halls. There are gentle routine ways to help you exercise and strengthen your back even when duty requires that you not pause for more intensive work. We shall work together to find a good balance that makes you better, yes?”

After Jal’na left Fayth turned back to Dasca. “Now you are going to be getting a lot of requests for appointments from us, and settling in won’t be easy either. I would like to see you in 2 weeks to take images of your spine, just to make sure you are adjusting the gravity. That will, unfortunately need to be done here. However if your pain medication isn’t working, or you have new or returning symptoms, please contact me and I’ll see you right away.”

Fayth, SFCMO